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Well Placement and Geomechanics

Controlled drilling and wellbore stability

Drillers deal with borehole stability issues in typically unconsolidated heavy oil reservoirs by selecting the right bit for high penetration rates and the correct drilling fluid to ensure circulation and cool the bit.

Well placement

Heavy oil developments typically include high volumes of relatively shallow, horizontal wells. Many include multilateral completions. The key to an effective horizontal well is the optimal position of the well within the reservoir. For SAGD well pair drilling, accurate ranging technologies are essential. To minimize environmental footprint, multiple wells are often drilled from a single pad, improving the efficiency and economics of the well construction. Advances in well placement technologies provide the ability to see the reservoir as it is being drilled, eliminating sidetracks on wells and enhancing production.